UAE’s evolving role as a key actor in the Middle East and beyond

UAE’s Strategic Role in Regional and Global Geopolitics

Rebuilding Mosul: Cultural Cooperation or Soft Power Diplomacy?

In 2018, a year after the fall of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pledged US$50 million to fund heritage reconstruction in Mosul. According to the Director-General of UNESCO, this initiative represents the largest cooperation to rebuild cultural heritage in the history of Iraq. The UAE’s partnership with UNESCO involves the reconstruction of significant cultural heritage sites in Mosul, including the Al-Nouri Mosque and its Al-Hadba Minaret, both destroyed by ISIL. The plan also expanded to include the restoration of two church buildings affected during ISIL’s occupation. The Al-Nouri Mosque and its Al-Hadba Minaret, significant landmarks of the city, are nearing completion and are set to reopen towards the end of 2024.

The UAE’s decision to invest in cultural reconstruction in Iraq, despite Iraq’s strained relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since its invasion of Kuwait, raises questions about its motivations. Critics compare this initiative to Saudi Arabia’s involvement in heritage reconstruction in Bosnia after the Yugoslavian Civil War, which was seen as a form of religious intervention. While UAE’s involvement has not been labeled as religious intervention, it has faced criticism for hiring an Egyptian construction firm rather than collaborating with a local firm and for its “Gulf-inspired” cubist redesign, leading locals to comment, “It’s not Mosul, it’s Sharjah.”

A survey conducted by the ‘After Islamic State’ project based at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that foreign-led heritage reconstruction in Mosul had little impact on the lives of its residents. Heritage reconstruction is a relatively low priority for the people of Mosul, despite significant financial resources being dedicated to rebuilding heritage sites. While such reconstruction does not empower local communities as intended, it serves as a strategic act of cultural diplomacy for the UAE, enhancing its global image.

UAE’s Energy Infrastructure in Iraq: A Humanitarian Business Model

Humanitarian development forms a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign policy in Iraq. This was evident in 2021 when the UAE announced a US$3 billion investment as part of its broader post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Iraq. According to a joint statement by Abu Dhabi and Baghdad, this initiative aims to strengthen economic and investment relations, create new opportunities for cooperation and partnership, and advance economic, social, and developmental growth in support of the Iraqi people.

In the same year, Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed a contract with the General Company for Ports of Iraq to explore investment prospects and improve cooperation in the maritime and transportation sectors. The UAE has also focused on infrastructure projects to reinforce economic and energy ties with Iraq. For example, in 2022, a UAE-based company, Acrotech, signed its first agriculture investment deal with Iraq to assist farmers in using the latest technology and modern science to increase production.

This strategic approach of integrating foreign aid into the UAE’s foreign policy in Iraq aims to gain international acknowledgment, leverage, recognition, and relevance. It positions the UAE as a key player in the reconstruction and development of Iraq, promoting long-term stability and fostering economic growth.

Reconstruction in Gaza: Humanitarian Cause or Image Building in the Gulf?

As part of its ambition to establish long-term peace in the Middle East and improve ties with the West, the UAE normalized its diplomatic relations with Israel by signing The Abraham Accord in 2020. The Accord was portrayed as a step towards a more amicable Middle East, with the UAE at its heart. Although not primarily signed to facilitate a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, this objective was cited as part of the broader deal.

In December 2023, nearly three months into the Israel-Hamas War, the UAE proposed contributing to Gaza’s reconstruction within the broader framework set by the US, contingent on a US-backed two-state solution recognizing the Palestinian state. The reconstruction of Gaza is crucial for containing the humanitarian crisis and is integral to long-term peace between Israel and Palestinians. The UAE’s history of humanitarian diplomacy, coupled with its formal diplomatic ties with Israel, positions it as a viable reconstruction partner capable of influencing both Israel and the US.

Without a US-backed roadmap to a two-state solution, the UAE’s commitment to Gaza’s reconstruction remains conditional. Nevertheless, the UAE has been at the forefront of global efforts, providing critical humanitarian aid to Gaza, leading the world with a substantial 27 percent contribution of the total aid sent to the enclave. This humanitarian aid helps the UAE maintain its image as a reliable partner for the US and Israel while avoiding Arab and domestic backlash and bolstering its standing in the Arab world.

Engagement with the Taliban: A Quest for Regional Influence

On June 4, 2024, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan held a formal meeting with representatives from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), reflecting the UAE’s intent to contribute towards stabilizing and developing Afghanistan. This engagement is not new; since the Taliban’s takeover, Abu Dhabi has seen the situation in Afghanistan as an opportunity to bolster its reputation as a valuable partner to Western powers by showcasing its humanitarian credentials. This is reflected in Emirati assistance with the evacuation of foreign diplomats and around 28,000 Afghan people in 2020 and continued humanitarian support in subsequent years.

In May 2022, the IEA signed a deal with a UAE-based firm, GAAC Solutions, for the security and management of airports in Herat, Kabul, and Kandahar. Later in December 2022, IEA’s acting Defence Minister, Mullah Yaqoob, visited the UAE to discuss opportunities to strengthen Abu Dhabi-Kabul relations further. Scholars like Giorgio Cafiero argue that by cautiously and pragmatically engaging the IEA, the UAE advances its self-interest in becoming a focal point in the regional power competition. This is especially significant given the geopolitical contest between Doha and Abu Dhabi, with IEA’s presence in the UAE offering an opportunity for Abu Dhabi to counter its historic rival.

From funding the restoration of Mosul’s cultural heritage to pledging aid for Gaza’s reconstruction and engaging with Afghanistan under the Taliban, the UAE’s actions reflect a nuanced blend of humanitarianism and geopolitical strategy. These efforts underscore the UAE’s ambition to enhance its international stature and influence through soft power diplomacy, leveraging cultural and economic investments to build alliances and project a positive image on the global stage. The Mosul initiative, although criticized for lack of local involvement and a perceived imposition of Emirati aesthetics, exemplifies this approach by promoting cultural diplomacy. Similarly, the UAE’s substantial investments in Iraq’s infrastructure aim to foster economic growth and regional stability, potentially reshaping Iraq’s relations with the GCC. The Gaza reconstruction proposal, contingent on a US-backed two-state solution, further highlights the UAE’s strategic positioning as a mediator in Middle Eastern politics. Lastly, the UAE’s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban illustrates its intent to maintain regional influence and counter Qatar’s prominence. Collectively, these strategic actions depict the UAE’s calculated strategy to pursue its geopolitical interests and assert its presence in the MENA region—and the world.